US Sanctions Impact: Iraq Suspends Iranian Flights to Baghdad

Iraq has ordered the suspension of Iranian flights to Baghdad amid the United States’ threat to impose secondary sanctions on airports and aviation service providers that continue to handle Iranian carriers. The suspension is scheduled to begin at midnight on Wednesday. Iraqi authorities are also discussing the possibility of diverting Iranian Airways flights from Baghdad to Najaf. The move follows US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s warning that airports providing Iranian airlines with services such as fuel, landing facilities or ticketing could face serious consequences, including exclusion from the US dollar system.

Iran has also taken steps in response to the growing restrictions. Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization has cancelled flights from Tehran to Baghdad and Muscat from Wednesday, according to the Iranian news agency Tasnim. Flights to other international destinations, including Istanbul, are expected to continue. Iranian authorities have also said that Iranian travellers are currently not being admitted at an airport in Oman, with consultations between the two sides continuing. The latest developments add to Washington’s wider sanctions campaign aimed at restricting Iran’s international aviation links.